SchoolSNET opEraTioNal GuidE ModulE 3 aSSET MaNaGEMENT

BRING YOUR PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) Guidelines for Schools

published by ACT Education and Training Directorate

© ACT Education and Training Directorate 2015

The copyright in this document is owned by the ACT Education and Training Directorate, or in the case of some materials, by third parties (third party materials). No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 or with permission.

Authorised by the ACT Education and Training Directorate 220 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon ACT 2612, Australia.

Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) are devices that are owned by students (or staff) that connect to the school’s internet, using their SchoolsNET account. They do not access SOE programs or network drives.

Our students expect reliable access to learning from wherever they are and whenever they need it. As a result, many schools are investigating a Bring Your Own PED program, also known as a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. Under this model, ACT Public School students bring their own devices to school and connect them to the school’s wireless internet at no cost to them. This might be a student’s personal laptop, or one of the other portable devices currently on the market, such as:

• Apple iOS Devices: iPad, iPad Mini, iPod, iPhone

• Chromebooks

• Windows 8 tablets and slates

• Android Devices

What is it?

• Allows for students to work on a device that is familiarto them and customised to their preferences.

• Enables the opportunity for schools to leverage students’attachment to their own devices to deepen learning andto making learning more personalised and student-centred.

• Can increase the number of devices available for teachingand learning.

• Enables the school to direct ICT funding to addressingequity issues and improving infrastructure (e.g. wireless).

• Enables collaborative learning through cloud basedsoftware at anytime (school and home).

Advantages

4Bring Your Personal Electronic Device (PED)

• The success of a Personal Electronic Device Program will be dependent on thorough planning and community/stakeholder consultation carried out by the school.

• PEDs are not supported by the ICT Service Desk.

• PEDs do not provide students with access to network drives

•Students may bring a range of different technologies toschools which require support from teachers/staff.

• The event of any damage to devices should be considered by the school as part of their PED implementation.

Before recommending that a particular device is purchased for use on SchoolsNET, ensure that Shared Services ICT are consulted to make sure that the device is compatible with the network through the Service Desk.

Email: ITServiceDesk.DETact.gov.au or Phone: Ext # 79000.

Considerations

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Why use PEDs?

Bring your own PED Models Are you ready? Time Frames

• Problem-solving, creativity – students can use differenthardware to produce same results

• Engaged students – students are familiar with theirdevice and ready to participate

• Anytime, anywhere – the student always has access to their device

• Collaboration – smaller, portable devices are much more conducive to collaboration

• Students care for their own devices – students morelikely to look after property that they actually own

• Caters to different learning styles – students can use the device/application that suits their approach

• Does the use of PEDs suit your school goals?

• Is your community in a financial position to supportthe use of PEDs? How will you address equity issues?

• Is your school’s infrastructure ready? Do you have the rightspaces, furniture? Do you have adequate wireless coverage?

• Do you have guidelines and supporting documents thatsteer students in the use of devices at school?

• How will students store/maintain/charge their devices?

• Are your teachers prepared for the move to PEDs?What do you need to do to help them prepare?

• What changes will need to be made to instructional practice?

• Will you use existing ACTETD platforms or will youuse external applications? There are considerationsaround privacy.

• How will the devices be managed? By the studentsor by the school? Both have implications.

• Will you specify certain types of devices or allowall users to choose the device that suits them?

To ensure that your school gets the best possible benefit from the use of PEDs, you need to allocate adequate time to plan for it and assess possible risks. It is recommended to start small, with a pilot class or grade. You can then evaluate the program and implement it on a wider level across the school.

Schools and their communities are best placed to determine the most appropriate model for their school. There are three different approaches:

Locked Down

Specific Requirements

BYO Anything

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The type of PED and the software used is dictated by the school.

e.g. iPads only

The type of PED a student can bring is limited to certain specifications.

e.g. Must run Flash Player or Word

Any PED can be used, provided that it connects to the wireless network.

e.g. any phone, laptop or tablet

Each model has its own pros and cons, and it’s important to investigate these as part of your planning. Not all the benefits listed above will be realised by each individual model.

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When considering this approach, schools should undertake careful planning and research.

Bring Your Own PED Considerations

It is essential for your school and parents to be aware of the following information regarding technology standards for devices used within schools:

• The Directorate's Wi-Fi network requires the following device network specifications:

Minimum: 802.11n (2.4GHz) Wi-Fi - may also be referred to as 802.11b/g/n or 802.11g/n

Recommended: 802.11ac Wi-Fi - may also be referred to as 802.11ac/a/g/n

ETD Technology Standards

• The Acceptable Use of PEDS Student Agreement should bedeveloped to suit your school’s purpose and should containrecommendations relating to:

• Directorate technology standards

• Hardware specifications, including operating system

• Software and apps

• Battery life/spare batteries

• Protective casing (scratch/impact/liquid-splash resistant)

• Device insurance/safety

• Ergonomics e.g. taking regular breaks, stretches,use of suitable furniture etc.

• Back-up storage such as portable hard drive orUSB flash drive

Device Requirements

Depending on the use of PEDs model your school chooses, the following considerations are essential:

• Strong passwords e.g. should have at least an uppercasecharacter, number and a non-alphanumeric character(refer to SSICT Fact sheet 21 – Passwords)

• Device anti-virus software, if applicable; and

• Privacy and Parental controls. There are resourcesavailable for parents on the DET Webpage:Keeping Safe Online

Security and Device Management processes

In order to implement the use of PEDs in your school effectively the following requirements outlined by the Use of PEDs in Schools policy need to be addressed:

• Schools can allow students to bring fully charged PEDsto school for the purpose of learning

• Use of devices at schools will be governed by school-developed guidelines and supporting documents thatinvolve community consultation and are aligned withthe Directorate Use of PEDs in Schools policy

• Prior to implementing a PEDs program, schools shouldprovide information to key community stakeholdersincluding teachers, parents and students

• Students and their parents must complete and returna signed Acceptable Use of PEDs Student Agreementbefore participating in the program

• The school and its community can choose the use ofPEDs model that is relevant and appropriate for theneeds of the students and the community

• Prior to implementing a PEDs program, schools shouldconsider/identify strategies to ensure that all studentsare able to engage fully in classroom activities. This should include strategies to accommodate students withouta device or a device that is not charged.

Policy Requirements

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• Set your goals for how PEDs will enhance the teachingand learning in the school

• Research – what have other schools/districts done?

• Assess your school environment – wireless infrastructure,classroom spaces, storage etc

• Conduct a risk assessment – what can happen? What areyou going to do to prevent/reduce the risk? Include security,equity and health issues as part of your risk assessment.To assist you, a Use of PEDs risk assessment template andexample is available on Index at the following address:https://index.det.act.gov.au/it/info.html under the heading ICT Management in Schools

• Survey students and families – what do they have already?

• Consult with the school community (students, parents,P&C, Board)

Planning for the use of PEDs

• Test a range of devices in the school. Think about the useof PEDs approach

• Build staff capability: Digital Pedagogy, 21st Century Skills(just like students)

• Build student capability: Digital Citizenship, Cyber Safety,ICT Capabilities

• Pilot with one class/year group

• Develop rules, guidelines and supporting documents.Review existing guidelines and processes to include the use of PEDs implementation where appropriate. Think about welfare and discipline documentation as well

• Decide on supported/recommended devices

• Decide on/implement purchasing models

• Develop communication channels for parents/community

• Evaluate the program regularly.

12Bring Your Personal Electronic Device (PED)

Your school, in consultation with your school community, should determine whether your school will implement the use of PEDs. Teaching and learning should be the key driving force for the decision.

The following table is a suggested guide to the decision-making process.

Suggested Process for Community Consultation and Development of School Guidelines and Procedures

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AIM ACTION

STEP 1 Provide information to the school community including staff, students and parents

Staff discussion

Information to students and parents

Literature review

STEP 2 Survey attitudes Develop own survey

Survey provided to key stakeholders – staff, students, parents

Interpret the results

STEP 3 Present findings of survey

Clarify the next steps if use of PEDs is going ahead

Hold a school staff meeting, P&C meeting, parent/student forum to present survey findings and establish way forward

STEP 4 Form a use of PEDs interest group Invite representation from the school Board, staff (including executive), parents (P&C) and if appropriate students (SRC)

STEP 5 Develop a draft school use of PEDs guideline, including procedures that outline strategies for addressing any risks such as equity, security, privacy, health etc.

Review ETD’s Use of PEDs in Schools policy and Communities Online Acceptable Use of ICT guidelines

Draft school guidelines and supporting procedures including an acceptable use template

Work in collaboration with the use of PEDs interest group

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AIM ACTION

STEP 6 Receive feedback on draft documents Circulate the draft guidelines and procedures for comment by the school community

Test with a pilot group

STEP 7 Finalise the use of PEDS guidelines and procedures Consider the feedback provided and test results in making any amendments

Consult with the use of PEDS interest group on any amendments

STEP 8 Communicate the school’s use of PEDs guidelines and procedures to the school community in a number of formats

Upload the documents to the School website,

Write a feature in the school newsletter.

Provide hardcopies to the school community with an introductory letter

STEP 9 Establish a review/evaluation period Consult with the use of PEDs interest group on an appropriate period and method – this should be noted in the school use of PEDs documentation

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Information in this document was gathered from the following sources. Please feel free to refer to them in your planning.

http://byodsandpit.weebly.com/index.html This is a website developed by members of the NSW Education community. There is lots of information, including links to more resources.

http://www.brouleepublicschool.nsw.edu.au/byot.html and http://queanbeyan-h.nsw.edu.au/BYODQHS/ Examples of BYOD implementation in NSW schools. Broulee Public School and Queanbeyan High School have implemented successful BYOD programs. See their websites for more information.

http://nswdecbyod.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/3/0/11303946/byod_schoolchecklist.pdf Schools Readiness Checklist.

http://www.samsung.com/us/it_solutions/innovation-center/downloads/education/white_papers/One-to-One_2.0_-_Handbook.pdf A document created by Samsung. Lots of information about BYOD, including resources to help you plan.

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/news/greatteaching/submissions/microsoft.pdf Microsoft’s response to a NSW discussion paper on contemporary teaching and learning.

http://sts.sydneyr.det.nsw.edu.au/files/CC/2013/T1/BYODhandout.pdf A presentation outlining the steps schools needs to consider when investigating a move to BYOD/use of PEDs.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=39681 Microsoft’s BYOD guide.

http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/documents/strategy/pdf/scbyte-21steps.pdf A document created by the Queensland Government: 21 steps to 21st Century 1-to-1 success.

HTTPS://WWW.DET.NSW.EDU.AU/POLICIES/TECHNOLOGY/COMPUTERS/MOBILE-DEVICE/PD20130458.SHTML Student Bring Your Own Device Policy (BYOD) developed by NSW Department of Education and Communities. Also contains links to implementation documents such as guidelines and a sample student agreement.

https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/technology/computers/mobile-device/implementation_1_PD20130458.shtml This Literature review provides information relating to issues, research and literature in BYOD integration.

Resources

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